from daijiworld's special correspondent
Panaji, Jan 4: Congress legislator, Atanasio Monserratte, resigned from the Pratapsingh Rane cabinet, last night, refuted that his move was a political coup against government and said that he had to quit the cabinet to save his dignity.
"It's not a move to dethrone the government… I did it only to get rid of unnecessary criticism. I will be firm on my stand," Monserratte told PTI, this afternoon.
The minister also ruled out the possibility of leaving Congress party, at this juncture. "I can't face the criticism for the acts which I have not done. I still by my stand that regional plan 2011 is a good document, Monserratte said referring to the controversial Regional plan controversy which snowballed into his resignation.
The chief minister Pratapsingh Rane, on the other hand, said that he is yet to accept the resignation and would decide on the issue 'only after meeting the Govenor S C Jamir.'
The political scene in Goa, meanwhile, remained silent with Congress adopting wait and watch attitude. The Goa Pradesh Congress committee president Ravi Naik refused to offer any comment on the episode.
Following an unexpected resignation move by town and country planning minister, Atanasio Monserratte, over the regional plan 2011 controversy which had the minister drawing flack from all the quarters including his own cabinet colleague, the chief minister met the minister this morning.
"I have met him and discussed the things. I will take any decision only after meeting the Governor," the chief minister said speaking to the reporters after the meeting. "The ball is in my court and we will take appropriate decision on it," Rane said when asked whether the resignation stands accepted or rejected.
The chief minister admitted that the minister's move was an unexpected one for him. "It happened all of a sudden…. I had no indication of it," Rane told reporters.
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Calling Monserratte 'an ambitious young man', Rane reiterated his stand that the regional plan can still be altered if there are any objections. "The matter is pending in the court and it is not fair to comment on it," he added.
The chief minister, briefing presspersons, refused to give any deadline to accept or reject the resignation.
Meanwhile, the minister said that he would not withdraw his resignation. "I had to resign to protect my dignity. I can't take criticism for the document which was passed by entire cabinet," he said.
When pointed out to his cabinet colleagues' statements that they were not taken in confidence before passing regional plan 2011, Moserratte said that he has no complaint against them (colleagues) but it reflects on their own.
Monserratte said that the regional plan 2011 was a good document and still stands by it. "I was never disturbed by the opposition to the regional plan… It is a well studied document approved by the cabinet," he said.
On his future move, the minister said that he will not quit congress party, at this juncture and instead would remain as a legislator.